PIA Press Release2008/11/10

PNP reorganization plan for Western Mindanao bared

Koronadal City (10 November) -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 here bared its re-organizational plan by sponsoring on Tuesday (Nov. 4) a seminar-workshop on the Operationalization of the PNP Directorate for Integrated Police Office (DIPO) for Western Mindanao.

Central Mindanao Police Director PCSupt. Felizardo M. Serapio Jr. said the DIPO is part of PNP's re-organizational plan as a result of NaPolCom Resolution No. 2008-447 "Submitting to Congress the Revised Reorganization Plan of the Philippine National Police."

The proposed activation of the DIPOs was covered under Sections 26 and 35 of R.A. 6975 (Powers and Duties of the Chief, PNP); Sections 25 and 29 of R.A. 6975 (Organizational Levels and Key Positions) and Section 78 of R.A. 9498 which says "the heads of bureaus… shall identify areas where improvements are necessary and implement corresponding structural, functional and operational adjustments that will result in streamlined organization and operations, and improved performance and productivity."

PRO 12 Spokesman PSSupt. Danny Reyes said the plan provides the framework for the establishment of the new PNP Directorate, with activation date on November 14, 2008.

He explained that DIPO was formulated to contribute to the promotion of regional sub-economic development.

Two of the primary functions of the Integrated Police Offices (IPOs), according to him "will be to direct and supervise the conduct of integrated anti-criminality, internal security and counter-terrorism operations; and promote inter-operability with the operating units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)."

As plan, there will be six DIPOs to be established around the country: IPO-NCR (16 City Police Offices and 1 Municipal Police Office); IPO-NORTHERN LUZON (Regions 1-3 and Cordillera Administrative Region); IPO-SOUTHERN LUZON (Regions 4A and B and 5); IPO-VISAYAS (Regions 6-8); IPO-EASTERN MINDANAO (Regions 10, 11 and 13); and IPO-WESTERN MINDANAO (Regions 9, 12 and ARMM).

Reyes said DIPOs can be delegated to the existing Directorate for Operations (DO) since the Directors for IPOs, based on the plan shall serve as the alter ego of the Chief PNP and shall direct and supervise the operations of the police regional offices only on matters pertaining to integrated internal security and counter-terrorism campaigns.

The one-day workshop was attended by civil society groups, local chief executives, academe, AFP counterparts, tri-media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), peace advocates, representatives from Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), Dept. of Justice (DOJ), including the Regional, City and Provincial Police Directors.

Reyes said the workshop was aimed at fine-tuning the staffing system, logistical requirements, and drawing mechanisms for the operationalization of the IPO based on the experiences from emergency situation and natural calamity of the participating agencies.

It was also meant to draw important inputs to enable it to respond to the national government's Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) policy.

"During the workshop, debates over intelligence functions and personnel management matters surfaced. Discussions as to whether DIPOs will become members of the RDCCs, RDCs, RLECCs and RPOCs were also tackled," said Reyes.

But Serapio said "DIPOs will primarily and foremost, exercise operational supervision over all PNP maneuver forces including the regional offices of the NSUs during the conduct of inter-regional and/or joint operations with the AFP." (PIA SarGen/PRO12/PIA 12) [top]